Incorporation of an Aquatic Fern (Azolla pinnata) as Alternative Feed in Coturnix japonica Broiler Diets: Impact on Growth Performance and Meat Quality

Alternative protein sources to support quail meat production without relying on crops essential for human consumption are needed. This experiment was conducted to identify the impact of a partial substitution of soybean meal with Azolla pinnata in quail diet on the growth performance and meat quality of the birds. One day-old quail chicks (n=300) were raised on litter for 21 days, receiving a startergrower diet. At day 22, n=180 quails were randomly selected and equally divided into four experimental groups receiving different finisher diets: a control diet (C), a diet with 2.5% dried Azolla (A1), a diet with 5% dried Azolla (A2), and the C diet + 10% fresh Azolla (A3). Growth performances were recorded. At day 37, quails were slaughtered and carcass traits were determined. Then, the physicochemical characteristics, lipid oxidative stability, and sensory characteristics of the meat were analyzed. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in feed intake or weight gain among groups. Instead, the A3 group showed a higher feed conversion ratio compared to the control and the other treatments (p<0.05). The inclusion of Azolla in quail diets did not significantly affect carcass traits or meat sensory attributes (p>0.05). However, incorporating both fresh and dried Azolla positively influenced meat physicochemical and nutritional composition, as well as its oxidative stability. Hence, fresh and dried Azolla can be used as an alternative feed ingredient in quail diets without negatively affecting either bird growth performance or the proximate composition, lipid oxidation, and sensory attributes of the meat.